Which template should I choose?

It depends on your goals, content, and taste. This is an important decision, so we’re here to point you in the right direction if you need it. For advice, visit Choosing the right template.

You can switch templates as many times as you want without losing any content changes. This means that there’s no pressure to get it right the first time.

However, note that some changes don't transfer between templates, including footers, sidebars, and style changes.

How much does each template cost?

There’s no extra cost. The ability to try multiple templates is included with your Squarespace site subscription.

If I change my template, can I change back later?

Yes. You can set a previously used template as your live template from the Templates panel. When you switch to a previously-used template, you’ll see all design changes and Style Editor settings as you last left them.

Should I switch templates or start a separate trial?

As an alternative to switching templates on your live site, you can create a new trial site, add your content, and tweak your style settings. When you're ready to upgrade, you'll move your domains and G Suite subscriptions, reconnect your social accounts, upgrade to paid service, and then cancel the original site. For detailed steps, visit Starting over.

Which method you use is a personal choice, but asking yourself these questions can help inform your decision:

Do I have a lot of existing content?

If you start a new trial, you'll have to recreate all your site's existing content.

If you switch templates, your content moves to the new template.

Am I concerned about content going live before I'm ready?

If you start a new trial, none of the changes will go live until you're ready.

I switched templates - where did my pages go?

Your pages didn’t disappear -- they temporarily moved to the Not Linked section, a placeholder for pages that aren’t in your navigation menus. When you first open the new template, you’ll see example pages with removable demo content in your navigation menus instead.

I switched templates and my fonts and colors are different.

Your site’s styling changed with your new template’s default settings. Default fonts, colors, padding, and other style elements are specific to each template. All of our fonts are available in every template, so if you love your original font, you can select the font again in the Style Editor.

I switched templates and my custom CSS disappeared.

Just like style changes made via the Style Editor, all custom CSS is specific to each template. When you install a new template, the CSS Editor will be blank.

I switched templates - what happened to my footer or sidebar?

Footers and sidebars are unique to each template. Depending on the template you choose, your footer (site-wide or per-page)/sidebar will disappear or revert with new content. However, when you switch back to a previously installed template, you’ll see the footer/sidebar content as you left it.

As a note, some templates that offer sidebars keep them hidden by default, and you can enable them in the Style Editor.

I switched templates - where did my page header go?

Per-page headers are unique to each template. When you switch templates, your per-page header will disappear or revert with new content. However, when you switch back to a previously installed template where you customized a per-page header, you’ll see the design as you last left it.

Why do visitors see a different template than I see?

If your site looks different to visitors than it does to you (or if it looks different when you log out), it likely means that you’re previewing a template but haven’t set it as your live template.

If you want visitors to see what you’re seeing, click Set as Live Template in the bottom-right corner when you're logged into your site. To keep the template that visitors see, click Cancel Preview instead.

Why don’t other contributors see the template I’m previewing?

If multiple people have logins for your site, template previews are specific to each contributor. When you’re previewing a template, you’re the only one who’ll see it on your site until you install it as your live template.

Can I combine different template pages and styles?

No. You can’t mix and match different template layouts. For example, you can’t add an Index Page from one template and then use a different template’s Gallery Page.

However, there are ways to get around this to achieve the design you want. For example, if you don’t like your template’s Gallery Page, you can use Gallery Blocks on a Regular Page instead. To learn more, visit Gallery Blocks vs. Gallery Pages.

Can I install the same template more than once?

You can only install one version of each template within the Template panel. If you delete a template, you can reinstall it.

Can I prepare my new template before visitors can see it?

Yes, this step is built into the template switching process. When you switch templates, you’ll first preview it before it's set as your live template.

This allows the flexibility to complete your new design before publishing it. If you don’t like your new design, you can cancel it, and no changes will be seen on your live site.

If I switch to a new template and then switch back, will my site go back to the way it was?

Partially. Most content changes you've made since switching templates will stay as-is, but changes to your site’s design and layout will go back to they way they were.

What will happen to my Index Page if I switch templates?

It depends. Every template with an Index Page has its own design and behavior, and some templates don’t have an Index Page. It’s a good idea to review how your Index Page will change when you switch templates.

You can see if a template has an Index Page by checking if it’s available in the New Page menu (click a + icon in the Pages panel).

Your original template...

You switched to a template that...

Result

has an Index Page

doesn't have an Index Page

The Index Page converts to a folder.

has an Index Page

has an Index Page

The Index Page’s design changes.

has an Index Page

doesn’t have an Index Page, and then you made another switch to a different template that has an Index Page

Since the original Index Page converted to a folder upon the first switch, it remains a folder even if the new template has an Index Page.

has an Index Page

doesn’t have an Index (where the Index Page converts to a folder), and then you made another switch to the original template where you created the Index

The folder reverts to an Index Page with the design as you last left it in the original template.

This will only happen if you didn’t uninstall your original template.

Does each template have its own Style Editor options?

Yes. Each template has its own styling options. For more on using the Style Editor, see Making style changes.

Will switching templates affect my site’s SEO?

No. Your site’s visibility to search engines is based on its content, not its design.

Does the Info Page carry over to a new template?

The Info Page is unique to Aviator, Aubrey, and Encore. If you switch to a different template, the Info Page won’t display. However, if you switch back, your Info Page will appear as you last left it.

If you like the look of the Info Page, you can create an Info Page-like design on any template by adding a Cover Page with the Card layout.

Does the Project Page carry over to a new template?

The Project Page is unique to York, Artesia, Flores, Harris, Jasper, Jones, Lange, and Shibori. If you switch to a different template, a Project Page will convert to a Gallery Page in the new template.

If you switch back to one of these templates, you can create new Project Pages and Gallery Pages and move images into them to recreate your original format.

Should I click "Start with" or "Preview"?

When you're ready to install a template on your site, click Start with this template. Clicking Preview displays the template demo site.

I see a "We couldn't find the page you were looking for" message

This happens when your previewed template doesn't have a homepage. Open the Pages panel and set a homepage to resolve this issue.